Monkey on Tuesday....

And this time, it's not my fault!

Blogger seems to have resolved its' issues and I have pictures again...hopefully my laptop will not get finicky and we can finish this post....

Right off the bat, if you would like to learn more about Monkey in the Middle Monday, just click here ....

And I do have a link to share with you this week....
Catnip Studio
Go take a look at what Kathy was up to this week...too cute!

And now it's time for me to share. I have been coloring this week, playing with my new Prismacolor Pencils...learning quite a bit and having fun with them too....Doing some more planning for the upcoming seasons ...

Recognize this guy?

I really want to start a line of prints meant for kids' rooms based on vintage children's toys. I love the old Fisher Price pull toys and have a small collection. Plus, I recently started collecting old game cards with adorable grapics. Got this circus themed set that is featured on my MitM banner above from my friend Kath's supply shop INeedThat .

And what better set to get some practice in with? These little guys make me smile every time I see them, particularly the Monkey (of course)...

I am also trying to work up a game plan for the holiday season, using pencil drawn art...

I have had these little Swedish pony shaped cut outs for a few years now, one of those "Do you think you can do anything with these because they are going in the trash if you don't want them" kind of gifts. I really do love the shape of them and can see them on a tree. My first thought was to go traditional, but I am not Swedish (my wonderful Step Mom Karen is -she was nice enough to give these to me, thinking I could do something with them) and I wanted to do something a little different. So I am experimenting right now.....


Gotta start somewhere, right? I think I am headed in a "cherry cottage" inspired direction on these, with lots of vintage trims and maybe just a bit of mica or German Glass Glitter sparkle...I can see it in my mind's eye, a whole collection of different but coordinating painted ponies...oh my!

....I think it will be cute....

But you never know until you try....

Until Next time,
STEPH

(This has GOT to be a RECORD) Monkey-in-the-Middle Monday...

How many weeks in a row now? Ok, not as many as I thought, but I'm still dang proud of myself because I actually do have something to share with you today...again! Given how busy the past few weeks have been, that's not too shabby...

To learn a little more about Monkey-in-the-middle Mondays, just click right here.

I don't have too many participating this week. Kathi over at Out on a Whim has went and gone on vacation...imagine that in the middle of summer. Haven't heard from my other regulars, but if they are participating I will update during the week. I do have one link, however, a new friend...

Oh! Just one more thing...

Don't you love that Title? I do! Go visit Mel and check out the 80's ergo chair that she helped a friend re-do....FUN!

If you are taking the plunge and participating, please just send me a quick email with your link. It may take a few days, but I will definitely get you on the wall of fame...errr....Monkey post...

And without further ado, it's time for me to share....

Sometimes, I find a stamp and it takes me awhile to give it a test run. Sometimes I find a stamp and I have to stamp with it IMMEDIATELY (you get where this is going)...when I stumbled upon these 12 days of Christmas stamps, I knew they'd be occupying valuable thinking space in my mind until I actually did something with them. I just love them! Not sure if I love this initial experiment, but they are growing on me...

I think I may sell these more as ornaments because I can't imagine splitting them up...you can't have just one day of Christmas, can you?

I forgot how many birds "my true love gave to me" ...should fit right in this year, considering how popular the feathered friends are right now....

My personal favorite is the "lords a-leaping" there in the lower left...

But I always enjoy a good piper piping or drummer drumming...

Now let's just change the mood COMPLETELY, shall we? The Cottage Style Street Team is celebrating Christmas in July this week on Etsy...so in honor of the event, I am channeling my inner "girly girl"....

What better way to do it than on some sweetly ornate vintage silverware? I don't know if you can read it, but the engraving on that middle handle says "Hotel Ponce DeLeon"...I want to stay there!

I have a hard time with forks and knives...I often have to buy a whole box of mixed pieces to get the spoons I usually paint. After a very busy holiday last year and tons of buying this year in anticipation of another busy Christmas, my collection of forks and knives is piling up....I need to figure this out...

Snowflakes are simple enough to fit on those pesky forks....

And the glass glitter adds a nice touch in person, even if it's hard to capture that sparkle in a digital image...

I haven't gotten to the pinkies yet....I also thought about painting little vintage looking ball ornaments or jingle bells or maybe a wee little tree...just can't decide....any opinions or suggestions out there (good, bad, even ugly)?

And so there you have it, this week's record breaking Monkey-in-the-Middle Monday...

'Til Next Time....

STEPH

Monkey Incognito....

Psssstt!!

Cover your eyes...this Monday's Monkey has gone undercover....

You see, I can't share what I am working on this week...

It's a secret....

I can tell you that I am working on a magazine deadline and give you a few little hints....

Here's a tiny portion of what I am working on right now for Create & Decorate. Notice the slightly blurry photo which furthers the air of mystery (couldn't have anything to do with the dreary weather or the rush I was in)....



Here's a hint about the colors I'm using...you've figured it out, right?

Sorry to be so mysterious......but I really can't share....
I can, however, share what I will be working on later in the week...
It's time for me to start thinking about the holidays (yes, the ones that start in October and end in December)....I'm starting on my Holiday patterns for 2008....Yes, I know it's not even Spring yet if you live in an area like mine, but...painters start working way ahead for gifts and shows....so I'm actually on the ball for a change....

The Saltbox Rebellion....

Those of you who are familiar with my work know that I paint allot of houses....mostly saltbox style. Well I should say I used to paint allot of them and I do love them, even still. But it's confession time: seems lately, the thought of painting a house (ANY house) has just made me cringe (which is not good because allot of my regular pattern customer want more saltbox patterns). I have had my own little personal Saltbox Rebellion going on. I can imagine that for doll makers, the same would apply for another Annie or to altered artists- another fairie (don't come after me sewers and alter-ers! I'm just saying it's possible!)....

But sometimes a new and different surface will inspire you to reconsider an old dog. I have watched doll makers create with muslin and warm n natural for years, watched them paint these fabrics, but never made the connection that if they can paint it, so can I...doh!

So here is my first warm n natural ornie- the first of many, I hope! I played a little bit with color on this farm house, using a washed out, vintage red rather than the traditional deep red iron oxide most primitive houses are painted in. I'm loving the texture that the warm n natural provides and (here comes that word again- I'm a little obsesed with it lately) vintage feel it gives the whole ornie.

So what do you think? I'd love some feedback....

Mission Accomplished!

We have Santa!!

Didn't get as much time to work this weekend as I had hoped (and I wasn't as close to being done as I thought), but I managed to finish this plate today and here's the final result....

If you'd like to see more detailed photos, you can check out the eBay listing after 9pm (EST) tonight...

Click HERE!

Still not Done...

Yes, poor Santa is still a WIP, but at least he can see now. Added bonus: he's no longer a David Blain illusion with his torso floating over his legs....Scroll down and check it out- he was levitating!

Take a look at that W.I.P.!

W.I.P.

Work In Progress

I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to start sharing a little more of the process. This plate is about half done. I'm hoping if it turns out the way I anticipate that it will be a new pattern. I landed a great deal on these large (12", I think) tin ABC plates in bulk, and there is no way I can paint them all myself. So this is the first of a couple different patterns in the works for this surface. This one will feature a Belsnickle style Santa.

I really wanted to show you just how....ummmm....simple (OK- ugly!) a strictly base-coated surface can look (not to mention how much you really needed to see how a neat and tidy workspace should look, right?). It's the details that make a piece click- at this point Santa's eyes are a little scary and the sheep taking a stroll with him is merely a few pencil marks. Hopefully I will get some work done tomorrow and you will be able to see the finished piece...hopefully he'll be a wee bit more handsome tomorrow! Either way, I will post an end-of-day picture.

To be Continued....

And Now for a Little Less Frustration....

I finished these up today also. Have I mentioned that I find painting a lot less mentally exhausting than altered art?

They are also listed ( a freakishly productive day for me!). Make like Rudolph and dash on over to check them out....

Whimsy Squared...

Maybe Even cubed! lol!

Here's the finished piece....

YAY! I finished it and it's listed....

Check it out on eBay !!

Better Watch Out.....

NaUgHtY or NiCe???

Come on, be honest! Santa's watching, I'm sure he is....
Just a little sneaky peak at my auctions coming up tonight....

Oh Joy!

It's HERE!

I have received TONS of emails and messages from friends and customers who subscribe to Create and Decorate. Seems I have quite a few patterns in the Holiday issue this year. Now I knew that, but I'm still suprised (it has been several months since I turned those projects in)...go figure...the thrill of seeing your own name in a national publication just doesn't get old, let me tell you...

WooHOO!

***happy dance, happy dance, I'm doing the -woo-h-o-o- happy dance!!!***

I let my subscription lapse a month or so ago, so I had yet to see this issue but I received my complimentary copy in yesterday's mail. It IS a good one for my fellow painters- LOTS of goodies to keep you busy...

Besides my projects, there are pieces by Monika Brint, Susan Byrd, Charlene Barlow, Kathryn M. Wrona, Kim Klassen and Pam Grady. I don't think I've seen an issue packed with more brush strokes...how honored I feel to be included amongst these names!